American Notes

CRIME Invitation to a Dangerous Dance

More than three years after Comedian John Belushi died of an overdose in a Hollywood hotel, Cathy Evelyn Smith, the woman who has admitted that she injected Belushi with the fatal drugs, was ordered to stand trial last week for second-degree murder in Los Angeles. Municipal Court Judge James Nelson rejected arguments that Smith was merely a hireling who carried out Belushi's wishes. Said he: "Surely, Mr. Belushi issued the invitation to the dance. But it was an inherently dangerous dance."

A former backup singer, Smith, 38, was charged under provisions of California law that stipulate criminal responsibility for a death occurring as a result of a dangerous felony, in this case the supplying of narcotics. She was indicted after giving an interview to the National Enquirer in which she reportedly told of repeatedly injecting the comedian with a heroin-and-cocaine mixture known as a "speed-ball." The Enquirer quoted Smith as saying, "I killed John Belushi. I didn't mean to, but I am responsible." Said L.A. Deputy District Attorney Elden Fox: "She sold the story for $15,000, confessing to committing 14 felonies in the state of California." Failure to charge Smith, said the prosecutor, would have been "derelict." DEMOCRATS Fair? To Whom?

After an unforgettable pasting from Ronald Reagan in 1984, the Democratic National Committee launched a survey called "Democrats Listening to America" to find out what the voters wanted. One answer came as a rude surprise. "Fairness," a favorite party theme in the 1982 and 1984 elections, was a turnoff to most of the 5,500 voters polled, 90% of whom identified themselves as middle class. "They see it as a code word meaning giveaway," said Frank O'Brien, a fund raiser for the D.N.C. "To them, fairness means not me but some other guy."

Discussed at a meeting of state party chairmen in Orlando two weeks ago, the poll has created a stir. Said one party official: "We've got to find a way to communicate better with the middle class." Does the rebuff of the fairness issue mean that the Democrats will abandon their traditional commitment to helping the disadvantaged? "The notion of fairness is not being rejected," D.N.C. Chairman Paul Kirk gamely insisted. "The middle class is just saying, 'Don't forget us.'" Kirk may wish that party officials would forget the poll. He has ordered them to quit talking about it until the complete findings are released later this month. CULTS Farewell to Rancho Rajneesh

"Beloveds, the disco is closed from today on," reads a red lettered sign taped on the door of Zorba the Buddha Disco and Casino. Every day, buses and cars crammed with bicycles, stereos and followers of the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh pull away from the main gate of the guru's now defunct commune in the remote hills of Oregon. Since the Rajneesh pleaded guilty to a federal charge of immigration violation and departed last month for India, after firing a bitter parting shot at the U.S. ("I never want to return"), his 1,300 disciples have been scattering like college students at the end of term.

Everything left on the 64,000-acre ranch that is portable, from roller skates to bulldozers, will be auctioned off later this month at a three-day sale. Most proceeds will be applied against taxes and debts estimated at $35 million. Potential buyers of the ranch, which boasts a vineyard, an airstrip and a shopping mall, have suggested converting it to a retirement community, or a state prison farm. Some assets have already been scooped up. Texas Car Dealer Robert Roethlisberger dropped by last week in his private Cessna to close a deal for 84 of the Bhagwan's 93 Rolls-Royces. At week's end they were headed for the Lone Star State in a twelve-truck convoy. WHITE HOUSE Big Bucks for a Reagan Bio

No sooner had word of Author Edmund Morris' plans for a biography of President Reagan got out than seven publishers plunged into a frenzied round of bidding. Last week Random House claimed the prize, reportedly agreeing to pay Morris $3 million. Offered unprecedented access to his subject, the author accompanied the President to Geneva last month, and has been attending top-level White House meetings, notebook in hand. This proximity, he hopes, will enable him to capture "the nuances, the mannerisms, the ephemeral details that make up the real texture of life, which would otherwise evaporate."

The price was the highest yet paid in a season of golden contracts for books by and about public figures. In the past few months House Speaker Tip O'Neill garnered $1 million for his autobiography, while former Budget Director David Stockman topped $2 million for his. Noting, however, the tepid sales of the memoirs of 1984 Veep Candidate Geraldine Ferraro and a book about Olympics Czar Peter Ueberroth, some high-rolling publishers are wondering whether they will cover their bets. TRIALS Just Call Him Lucky Eddie

When Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards went to trial last September, it took an hour and 15 minutes just to read the 50-count indictment. The popular third-term Governor and seven of his associates have denied the charges of racketeering, fraud and obstruction of justice in connection with a scheme to obtain and sell state hospital and nursing-home permits. Last week testimony finally turned to what, for some of Edwards' constituents, is the heart of the matter: Is the Governor a good craps shooter or not?

To show that Edwards had a motive to engage in fraud, prosecutors presented evidence that the flamboyant Governor, sometimes using an alias, lost $2 million on gambling trips to Nevada between 1981 and 1984. Not so, proclaimed the defense, which summoned Verne Welch, an assistant general manager of Harrah's Hotel in Lake Tahoe, as a witness. According to Welch, Edwards won no less than $562,000 during ten memorable visits to Harrah's. Added Welch: "When Governor Edwards came around, the crap game filled up immediately. People shooting there knew who he was."